PNP creates special task force on chopper crash incident

March 5, 2020

The Philippine National Police (PNP) created a special investigation task group following the crash of the helicopter carrying Police General Archie Francisco Gamboa and other police personnel, including three generals, Thursday morning.

Police Major General Benigno Durana, acting PNP spokesperson, said SITG “Bell 429” was formed  to investigate the incident in San Pedro, Laguna.

The appointed SITG commander is Police Lieutenant General Guillermo Eleazar, Deputy PNP chief for Operations while Police Major General Elmo Francis Sarona, Director for Investigation and Detective Management, will be the assistant commander.

Durana said Eleazar will convene the task group while he will be the designated spokesperson. Durana, the former PNP spokesperson, heads the Directorate for Police Community Relations.

The Directorate for Personnel and Records Management (DPRM) will issue appropriate orders.

Earlier, Durana said there will be no officer-in-charge.

“There will be none because we are Team PNP. Right now, the one making the day-to-day operation is the deputy chief for Administration (Police Lieutenant General Camilo Pancratius Cascolan) and (he) will be supported by the rest of the command group and the directorial staff,” he said.

Police General Archie Francisco Gamboa, and seven others, including three generals, were injured following a helicopter crash in San Pablo.

Two generals are still unconscious and confined at a hospital in Laguna.

Gamboa and the other helicopter passengers are confined in St. Luke’s Taguig and are in stable condition. Ella Dionisio/DMS